While We’re Waiting was co-founded by Brad and Jill Sullivan & Larry and Janice Brown of Hot Springs, Arkansas, in the fall of 2010 to address the need for Biblically-based support for parents who have experienced the death of a child. We hosted our first bereaved parent retreat in April of 2011 and have hosted over 100 retreats since that time.
When a parent loses a child, they can find themselves feeling very alone in a world that has seemingly moved on without them. Relationships with others can become strained as these parents are no longer the same people they were before. Pop-culture theology and well-intended platitudes often hurt more than they help.
Our While We’re Waiting retreats and support groups give bereaved parents the opportunity to spend time with other parents who truly understand the experience of child loss. Moms and Dads can remove their masks and be authentic in a safe, welcoming environment. Lifelong bonds of friendship are formed and our faith in God is strengthened as we discuss our grief in light of the promises in His Word. We honestly share our struggles and our victories and discuss how we can live well while we’re waiting to be reunited with our children in Heaven one day.
All of our retreats and support groups are facilitated by parents who have experienced the death of a child … folks who love the Lord and are well-acquainted with grief. Our facilitators do not have formal training as grief counselors and attending one of our events should not be viewed as a substitute for professional counseling. We are just parents walking this road of grief together … We learn from each other at these events!
Meet your While We’re Waiting facilitators!
(Click on the pictures below to read a brief bio about each couple.)
